The government could try and raise £1 billion from the 'gig economy' in this week's budget

A self-employed UberEATS food delivery courier rides his bike in London, Britain September 7, 2016.REUTERS/Neil HallLONDON — The government is considering overhauling tax for the self-employed in Wednesday's budget, hoping to raise £1 billion ($1.22 billion) to pay for social care and business rates relief.

The reform looks likely to help fund spending elsewhere in the budget. Hammond has a £27 billion war chest to tackle any Brexit related economic issues but is reluctant to spend any of it before EU exit negotiations have even begun. As a result, the chancellor is aiming for a fiscally neutral budget.

Hammond hopes to raise £1 billion from the National Insurance tax reform and the FT reports that the tax overhaul is part of a wider government review into the so-called "gig economy" — the rising trend for people to do short-term, self-employed work through marketplaces such as Uber and Deliveroo.